Enclosed modular switch

Abstract

A modular switch, which can be used in telecommunications systems, provides an enclosed environment and, from a particular selection of spring cantilever contact members, a normally made, a normally open and transfer function can be provided. By shaping the body of the switch a plurality of switches can be attached together.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An enclosed modular switch comprising: a first body member having a back, sides and a base forming a hollow enclosure;   arcuate extensions on said sides, concave inner surfaces of said arcuate extensions defining a bore at a top end of said body member, said bore closed at its back by said back of the first body member;   an actuator rotatably mounted at said top end of said first body member, said actuator including a cylindrical body portion rotatably mounted in said bore, an arcuate shroud spaced from said body portion, an actuating lever extending from said shroud, and a contact lever extending from said body portion into said first body member, the shroud having a close sliding fit on convex outer surfaces of said arcuate extensions;   a plurality of cantilever contacts mounted on said first body member, one of said contacts including an extension for contact by said contact lever and movement thereby;   a cover slideable onto said first body member to form a front closing member at forward edges of said sides, said cover including an extension to extend over front edges of said arcuate extensions;   said contacts including terminal portions extending from said first body member;   movement of said actuating lever rotating said cylindrical body portion, said shroud moving over said converse outer surfaces, and said contact lever moving said one of said contacts to modify a switch condition.   
     
     
       2. A switch as claimed in claim 1, said contacts including a center contact and at least one side contact, said center contact biased towards one of said sides of said body member. 
     
     
       3. A switch as claimed in claim 1, said contacts including a center contact and a side contact on each side of said center contact, said center contact biased to a make condition with one of said side contacts. 
     
     
       4. A switch as claimed in claim 1, said contacts each including a terminal portion extending through said base and a terminal portion extending through one side. 
     
     
       5. A switch as claimed in claim 1, said cover comprising an integral part of a second body member which is a portion of a further enclosed modular switch, whereby a plurality of enclosed modular switches can be joined together. 
     
     
       6. A switch as claimed in claim 1, said sides having grooves formed in outer surfaces, said grooves extending parallel and adjacent to forward edges of the sides, said cover including ribs on each side of a rear face, said ribs spaced from said rear face and slidable in said grooves. 
     
     
       7. A switch as claimed in claim 5, said first body member including ribs on each side of a rear face of the back thereof, said ribs spaced from said rear face, said sides having grooves formed in outer surfaces, said grooves extending parallel and adjacent to forward edges of the sides, said ribs on said rear face being slideable in grooves in the sides of a further like body member, and wherein said cover includes ribs slideable in said grooves in said sides. 
     
     
       8. A switch as claimed in claim 7, wherein said ribs of said first body member are slideably received in said grooves in the side of said further like body member and said cover is slideably received on said further like body member. 
     
     
       9. A switch as claimed in claim 1, said contacts including a center contact and a side contact on each side of said center contact, said center contact having a normal position spaced from said side contact, movement of said actuating lever moving said center contact into electrical contact with a selected one of the side contacts. 
     
     
       10. A switch as claimed in claim 1, the switch comprising one of a transfer switch, a normally closed switch and a normally open switch.